Dili, August 26, 2026 (Media Democracia) – The Center for Gender, Diversity and Inclusion (CEGDI) holds a seminar to commemorate Falintil Day, August 20th, and the Popular Consultation, August 30th, with the theme “From Resistance to Nation Building: Lasting Link of Veterans to Peace, Democracy and Inclusive Leadership”, at the FCSP-UNTL Caicoli Auditorium Hall.
According to the speaker, His Excellency Lieutenant General Domingos Raul “Falur” Rate Laek, in his speech, he said that the consolidation of peace we live in today in Timor-Leste does not come from decrees and does not maintain itself on its own. Peace requires daily practice through reconciliation, mutual respect, and is a collective responsibility that belongs to citizens and leaders.
“Consolidating peace today the life we live in Timor-Leste does not come from decrees and it does not maintain itself. It is built every day. Some of it comes from concrete schools. Falintil existed to liberate the territory. The F-FDTL exists today to consolidate freedom through stability, discipline and institutional work. This transition to a modern, professional armed force that serves the homeland is itself an act of building peace. And we learn that a dignified state does not humiliate its heroes whether they are alive or dead. Reconciliation is a daily practice through mutual respect, and peace is a collective responsibility that belongs to citizens, students, academics and leaders.” Said His Excellency Lieutenant General Domingos Raul “Falur” Rate Laek at the FCSP-UNTL Caicoli Auditorium Hall, on Wednesday this week.
He emphasized that the legacy of the national liberation struggle is that there were never isolated heroes. It was the entire people who resisted. All Timorese, regardless of party or ideology. We are all children of this land. The unity built in the forests and on the mountains must today be preserved in institutions, families and universities.
The Lieutenant General added that a people who do not know their own past are a vulnerable people and become a weakness that Timor-Leste cannot afford to leave behind.
“A people who do not know their own past are a vulnerable people and become a weakness. Here in the armed forces we have already invested in the tradition of knowledge for our generations, through training programs for new commanders who are taught by veterans and the fighters themselves.” Said Falur Rate Laek.
In addition, Professor Antero Benedito da Silva said that young people are the new generation and the living spirit who must research and study the history and memory of past fighters, especially Falintil, because many people died in the war to defend the dignity of the nation.
“Timorese, especially young people, must remain vigilant. We must be awake, do research, study hard, and look far ahead look to the future and to 100 years from now, 2000 years from now, to see what our nation will become and whether we will still exist. Our generation is for the generations of the future. After that, I appeal to young people to preserve the memory of the past struggles, especially Falintil. Many people died in the war to defend our human dignity as a people, because there were attempts to exterminate us, but they did not succeed. And we transform our lives through faith and science.” Explained Professor Antero Benedito da Silva.
Student representative Jacop Madeira said he was happy as a new generation to want to know and learn about the history of the resistance struggle for self-determination, which is important for the new generation.
“As the new generation, I am very grateful to be able to attend today’s seminar because with the overall theme of leadership in the resistance that promotes inclusive democracy, as the new generation, how can we learn from our resistance fighters who fought for self-determination? All of this is our important role as the new generation in today’s modern vision: to learn and prepare through the world of technology.” Said Jacop Madeira.
Report By: Trainees Joaninho and Lourenço
Photo: Trainee Lourenço